Daylight tank-loading machine



Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

fee/20ft? 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. E. JECHORT.

DAYLIGHT TANK LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 3,1919.

1,387,403. PatentedAug- 9,1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

c. E. JEC HORT. V DAYLIGHT TANK LOADING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 3, 1919.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

[are/z 2 0/ 6315: dEc/Zari PATENT OFFICE.

CELES'I'IN E. JECHORT, 0F LANKI'N, NORTH DAKOTA.

.DAYLI GHT TANK-LOADING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

Application'flled October 3, 1919. Serial No. 328,114.

To all whom it may-concern:

Be it known that I, Gnnns'rm E. JEoHoR'r, a citizen of the United States, residin at Lankin, in the county of Walsh and tate of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Daylight Tank Loading Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to tank loading machines for dry plates, and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device for removing the dry plates from a plate holder and positioning the same in atank in daylight, without necessitating the use of a dark room.

Another object of the invention is to pro ,vide' an improved device for removing photographic dry plates from a plate holder and positioning the same in a developing tank in such a manner that the plates are not injured in any wa whatsoever and are not handled by the liands of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for holding the plate holder in operative position'on the device, so that the plates can be readily and conveniently removed therefrom without permitting the access of light to the plates or into the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for removably attaching the plate holderto the device and an improved means for mechanically releas ing the plates therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for receiving the plates from the plate holder and for removing the plates from the receiver into a developing tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for removing plates from the plate holder and at the same time position the same in a receiving tank, which is so constructed that a plurality of plates can bereceived and positioned therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved plate carrier or receiver for taking the plates from the plate holder which can be adjusted and held in various adjusted positions, so that the pl ates carried thereby can be positioned in the desired section of the receiving tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tank for receiving the plates from the plate carrier having means for holding the plates in spaced relation to each other, so that the developing fluid can readily circulate therebetween, when the plates are being developed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for moving the tank into and out of engaging position with the plate carrier, so as to effect the removing of the tank when desired and positioning of the plates in the tank when desired. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved receivingtank having an improved door associated therewith, and an improved means for removing and securing the door to the tank when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tank for receiving photographic dry plates from the plate holder in which the plates can be readily and quickly developed therein. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved daylight tank loading machine of the character described, which is durable and efiicien't in use, one that is simple and easy to manufacture, and one that can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view looking at the reverse side of the device.

Fig; 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the improved device. I

Fig. 4: is a'transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 4-4.- of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated bythe arrows.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the do veloping, fixing and rinsing tank removed from the casing.

Fig. '7 is a transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on a vertical plane extending centrally and longitudinally through the tank.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the plane inclicated by the line 9-9 of F ig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

10 is a similar view taken on the plane indicated by the line 101O of Fig. 3, look ing in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a similar view taken on the plane indicated by the line 11-11 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Fig. 12 is a detail view of the funnel used when filling the tank, and

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view illustrating the formation of the plate follower and the track therefor.

The device includes a rectangular casing 2, having the side walls 3). the front and rear walls 4 and 5 and the bottom 6. A vertical partition 8 is arranged transversely of the casing 2 and extends from one side wall to the other and divides the easing into a plate receiving compartment 9 and a tank receiving compartment 10. The upper end of the casing is left open and is provided with covers 11 and 1.2 for the tank and plate compartments. respectively. The inner edges of the side and end walls and the partition 8 are provided adjacent their upper edges with inwardly extending cleats or flanges 13, which are adapted to form in connection with the covers 11 and 12 means for rendering the casing light-proof. The cover 11 is secured to the upper edge of the rear wall 5 by suitable hin es 14 and the under sun face of the cover is provided with reduced extensions 15 for snugly engaging the flanges or cleats 13 to form the light-proof clos: as stated. The side cleats positioned in the tank compartment 10 are. as shown in 11 of the drawings, provided with grooves 16 for the reception of metal strips 17 carried by the inner side edges of the cover 11 so as to further prevent; the entrance of light into the casing. The cover 12 is also provided wi [11 the reduced extension formed on its inner face which is adapted to snugly engage the flanges or cleats 13 in the plate compartment 9 so as to prevent the entrance of light into the casing, and this cover is. as shown in Fig. A of the drawings, held tightly in position by means of contractile coil springs 19 which are coiled around. rods 20 slidably mounted in the side walls 3 of the casing. The upper terminals of the rods 20 are secured to the opposite sides of the cover 12. The side walls 3 are provided with bores 21 which slidably receive the rods and the lower portions of the bores are enlarged as at 2-2 for forming shoulders for forming a seat for the upper ends of the coil springs 19. The lower ends of the coil springs engage heads 24 carried by the lower terminals of the rods 20. Thus. it will be seen that the cover 12 is normally held in tight engagement with the upper edges of the plate compartment and when it is desired to place a plate holder 25 therein, the sides of the cover 12 are grasped by the hands and the same pulled upwardly, which permits the plate holder 25 to readily slip in the casing and rest upon the cleats or flanges formed thereon. The cover 12 also provides means for firmly holding the plate holder 25 in position against the plates and forms a tight closure so as to prevent the entrance of light to the plate compartment and plate holder.

The plate holder 25 is of the ordinary or any preferred construction and includes the rectangular frame 26 for the reception of the dry plates, which are normally held in position by the usual spring actuated bar 27 which engages the inner edge of the same. The frame is also provided with suitable grooves for the reception of the dark slides 28. Each side wall of the plate compart ment has secured thereto a pair of relatively spaced tracks 29, which have grooves 30. The grooves 3. receive the flanges 30" of the guides 31. The guides 31 have secured thereto at their central portions the flat plate 32 which forms the dry plate carrier. The plate 32 is normally held in an elevated position by a pair of expansion coil springs 33, which are secured at their lower ends to strips 33 secured to the bottom wall of the casing, and at their upper ends to the lower face of the plate 32. The upper surface of the plate 32 has secured thereon, a pair of downwardly and inwardly inclined plates 34 upon which th dry plates rest. Thus it will. be seen that only the side edges of the dry plates come in contact with the plate holder. The inner edges of the plates 34; are spaced from each other and a guide track 35 is secured to the upper surface of the plate intermediate the plates As shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, a guide slidably receives the plate follower 38 which extends upwardly therefrom to a point above the highest portions of the plates 84-. The follower 38 has secured thereto the forwardly extending rod 41 which forms means for actuating the follower. A. shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, this rod extends through a vertical slot 42 formed in the front wall 4 and the outer end of the rod is provided with an actuating handle The front wall 4; is provided with a guide 44: which is provided with a slot 45 that registers with the slot 12 formed in the front wall. The guide slidably receives the rod carrier &3 which is formed relatively long so as to completely cover the slots 45 and 42 formed in the guide 44 and in the front wall l so as to prevent the entrance of light into the plate compartment. The rod ll slidably extends through the rod carrier 1S which also carries a collar 51 surrounding the rod and carrying packing 51 so as to prevent the entrance of light intothe plate compartment about the rod 41. To further prevent the entrance of light through the opening, a relatively small plate 52 is secured to the outer surface of the plate carrier 32 and this plate has an opening .53 therein for receiving the rod 41 and this plate abuts the rear end of the collar 51 and prevents the entrance of light into the casing. A flat plate 54 is secured to the outer face of the front wall 4 and is provided with a slot 55 which registers with the slots 42 and 45 in the front wall 4 and guideway 44, and this plate 52 is provided with graduations 56, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. The lower surface of the plate carrier 82 has secured thereto a depending transversely extending bar 56 which is also secured to the guides 31 and this bar has secured thereto the upper end of a flexible cable or cord 57, which is wound around a shaft 58 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 59 formed in the strips 33. The shaft 58 extends through an opening 60 formed in the frontwall 4 and is provided with a crank handle 61 by means of which the shaft is manually rotated. It can be seen that by rotating the shaft the cord 57 will be wound thereon and thus draw the plates downwardly in the guideways 30. To prevent retrograde movement of the shaft 58, a ratchet wheel 62 is keyed thereto, which is engaged by a spring dog 63 secured to the lower wall 6. lVhen it is desired to permit the plate carrier to resume its normal position, the dog 63 is depressed so as to move the same out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 62 and the expansion springs 33 will normally tend to move the plate carrier upwardly. The shaft 58 can also be rotated in opposite directions so as to facilitate the returning of the plate carrier to its normal position. A rod 64 is mounted in suitable bearings 65 carried by the lower wall 6 of the casing and this rod is provided at its inner end with an inwardly extending finger 66 which overlies the upper surface of the spring dog 63. The rod 64 extends through an opening 67 formed in one of the side walls 3 of the easing and is provided with an operating handle 68, so that the shaft can be turned in its bearings. It can be seen that by turning the shaft 68, the finger 66 will be brought into engagement with. the spring dog 63 and depress the same and move the same out of engagement withthe ratchet wheel 62. The partition 8 is provided with an opening 69 establishing communication between the tank compartment 10 and the plate compartment 9. 'The inner edge of the plate carrier 32- has secured thereto the depending gate 70 which. when the plate carrier 32 is in its raised position, closes the opening in the plate holder.

partition 8. The upper edge of the gate 70 is engaged by a strip 71 carried by the portion 8 adjacent to the upper edge of the opening 69 and this forms a suitable means for preventing the entrance of light from one compartment to the other. he side faces of the opening 69 are provided with spring flanges 72 to form guiding means for a plate when the same is removed from the plate carrier and forced into the tank compartment.

In operation of the improved device, the plate holder 25 is placed into the plate compartment and held in position by means of the cover 12, as herein before described, and the lower dark slide is removed. The lock ing bar 27 is then released, by means of the shaft 73 which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing74 carried by the inner face of the portion 8. The inner end of the shaft is bent upwardly and forwardly, as at 75, and is provided with a presser 76 which is adapted to engage the locking bar 27 of the The outer end of the shaft 7 8 is provided with a crank handle 77 and by actuating the handle 77 the prosser plate 76 will be'brought forcibly into engagement with the locking plate and will force the same rearwardly and thus permit the plate to be struck from the plate holder onto the plate carrier 32. The inner face of the front wall 4 is provided with an outwardly extending spring plate 7 8 and the guides 31 are each provided with a spring plate 78 These spring plates form a guide for the forward and side edges of the plate and prevent the same from coming forcibly into contact with the plate carrier. Prior to releasingthe plate from the plate carrier, the actuating rod, 41 of the follower 38 is pulled outwardly as far as the same will go, which will draw the follower 38 to the forward end of the casing and position the same in front of the forward edge of the plate. The shaft 58 is then rotated, which winds the cord 57 thereon and lowers the plate car rier and gate 70. The distance the plate carrier is to be lowered is shown by the graduations on the plate 54 and when the carrier has reached the desired position, the rod 41 is forced inwardly which will slide the plate inwardly off of the plate carrier and into the tank compartment.

The side walls of the tank compartment 11 are provided with cleats 7 9 intermediate their upper and lower edges which slidably receive and support the tank 60., which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The tank 80 includes the upper and lower walls 80 and 81, the side walls 82 and a. rear end wall 83. The open end of the tank is adapted to be closed by a cover 84 which includes a flat plate 85 having the inwardly extending reduced portion 66 which is snugly received in the tank and forms a an operating handle 102.

tight light-proof closure for the same. A plate rack 87 is removably positioned in the tank 80 and the same includes a rear wall 88, and side walls 89 which are provided with a plurality of grooves 90 for the reception of the dry plates. The grooves 90 are spaced in accordance with the graduations 56 formed on the plate 5% and the graduations form means whereby the plate carrier may be lowered so as to come in direct alinement with any one of the grooves desired. The side walls are suitably braced by bars 91, the forward uppermost one of which is provided with a spring catch 92 adapted to engage a keeper secured to the inner surface of the upper wall 80 of the tank and this spring latch forms means for retaining the rack in the tank against accidental displacement. The cover St for the tank 79 has secured to its outer face a depending U-shaped member 94:, which is adapted to be detachably engaged by a pair of spring arms 95 secured at their ends to the upper surface of the transversely extending cleat 96 which is secured to the side walls of the casing. The cleat 96, as shown, is positioned below and in front of the guide strips 7 9 for the tank. The upper surface of the cleat 96 has secured thereto in front of the spring arms 95, a spring plate 97 secured at its rear edge to the cleat and this plate is provided with a groove 98 in which the bight portion of the U-shaped member 94 seats. Th forward terminals of the spring arms 95 are curved upwardly and orerlie the groove 98 of the plate and form means for facilitating the positioning of the b l t portion of the U-shaped member 9% beneath the same. The spring arms 95 and the groove 98 form means whereby the core is detachably and hingedly connected to the cleat 96, for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described. The cover is adapted to normally rest in a horizontal plane and its forward edge is adapted to engage the rabbeted portion 99 of the lower wall of the opening 69 and when the cover is lying in this position, the upper surface of the same is flush with the upper surface of the uide cleats 79. As stated, the guide cleats '19 slidably support the tank 80 in the tank compartment and the same is adapted to be moved longitudinally in the easing into engagement with the rear side of the partition 8, the plate guiding flanges 72 entering the tank 80, as shown in Fig. 3 of the draw ings. The tank is adapted to be moved back and forth in the tank compartment by means of a rod 100 slidably mounted in a guide 101 secured to the lower wall 6. The rod 100 extends outwardly through the rear wall 5 of the casing and is provided with The rod 100 is bent upwardly at 103 and then forwardly as at 104: and provided with a guide eye 105 for the reception of a depending lug 106 formed on the rear end of the tank 80. Thus it will be seen that by sliding the rod forwardly and rearwardly, the tank will be moved therewith and, as shown, the tank is adapted to slide directly over the door 8d into engagement with the partition 8. The tank is held in its correct position against lateral movement by a spring clip 10? secured to the door 11. When the tank is in its forward position with its forward end in engagement with the partition 8, the same is ready to receive a plate from the plate compartment and when the plate car rier 32 has been lowered to the desired position the rod 41 can be slid rearwardly as herein before described and the plate will be forced into one of the grooves 90 in the rack. After the desired number of plates has been positioned in the rack of the tank 80, the tank is slid to its rear-most position by the rod 100 and the closure 8% is then swung upwardly into engagement with the same. The closure 81 is swung on the spring arms 95 by means of an operating rod 108 which is rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 109 secured to the forward face of the cleat 96. The rod 108 extends outwardly through one side wall 8 of the casing and is provided with an ope 'ating handle 110, by means of which the shaft is rotated. The inner end of the rod is bent to form an angular arm 111 which is adapted to engage the outer face of the closure 84: for swingin the same upwardly and into engagement with the open end of the tank. When the closure 8 1 has been swung upwardly into engagement with the tank, the co er 11 can then be swung open and the tank 80 is grasped by the hands'of the operator and moved forwardly, so as to move the U-shaped member 91 out of engagement with the spring arms 95 and the roove 98. Prior to moving the tanl-z forward in the preparation of removing the same from the tank compartment, the spring clip 112 is arranged 011 the tank so as to firmly hold the cover in position on the tank and prevent displacement thereof.

The spring holder 112 includes the substantially V-shaped body portion 113 and the downwardly and inwardly extending legs 114 which are adapted to engage the outer face of the cover. The spring legs 11 1 are bent outwardly and then downwardly intermediate their ends, as at 115, and terminate in the right angular extending arms 116 which engage the lower face of the tank and are connected by a bar 111' which is adapted to detachably fit in the hooked member 117 secured to the lower surface of the tank. The spring holder 112 is preferably formed from one piece of wire bent to conform to the above described configuration. The forward converged portion of the V-shaped body 113 provided with an upwardly extending spring lug 118 which is adapted tobe engaged by the pivoted looped handle 119 pivotally carried by the upper surface of the tank and when the looped handle 119 is swung downwardly into engagement with the spring dug 118, displacement of the spring clip is absolutely prevented and the closure 84 is firmly held in position. The tank is then grasped by the hands of the user and pulled upwardly and out of the tankcompartment. The plates in the tank are then readyfor development.

When the tank 80 is positioned in the tank compartment ready for receiving the plates from the plate compartment, the same is locked in such position against rearward movement by means of a crank arm 122 which is carried by the inner end of a shaft 120 mounted in suitable bearing 121 carried by the rear wall 5. The shaft 120 extends outwardly through the rear wall of the easing and is provided with an operating handle 121. When the shaft is turned, the crank arm 122 will be forced into engagement with the rear end of the tank and prevent rearward movement thereof. Upwardmovement of the-tank is prevented by means of the spring clip 107.

While the spring clip 112 is being placed in position on the tank, the cover is firmly held in engagement with the tank against displacement by'means of the arm 111, which is locked into engagement with the cover by means of a spring clip or lug 124, which engages the actuating handle 110 thereof. The tank 80 has secured thereto a longitudinally extending inlet tube 124 which communicates at its lower end with a relatively small casing 125 which is arranged interiorly of the casing and terminatesadjacent to the rear wall thereof. The sidefaces of the casing 125 are provided with openings 126 and the casing has secured to its rear end a light deflecting plate 127 which extends beyond the side edges of the casing and prevents the entrance of light into the tank. The tank closure 84 has secured exteriorly thereof a relatively small casing 128, which is provided with oppositely extending diagonal plates 129, which form a tortuous passage through the casing. The outer face of the casing is provided with an opening 130 adjacent one end thereof and the closure 84 is provided with an opening 131 which communicates with the opposite end of the casing. The inner surface of the closure is beveled inwardly as at 132 so as to form a guide for the entrance of the liquid into the opening 131.

The open upper end of the'tube 124 is adapted to receive a funnel'133 which includes the body 134 having'a hollow cork 135 secured to its tapered end. The cork 135 is adapted to be secured to the body 134 111 any preferred manner and forms a means for tightly fitting the funnel to the tube 124. The developing solution is poured into the tube 124 through the funnel 133 and when it is desired to remove the developing fluid the tank is turned so as to position the closure downwardly and the fluid will then drain from the tank through the opening 130. The rinsing water in next poured into the tank and after the same has been re moved the hypo-solution is next introduced.

The cover can then be removed from the I tank and the same used as a wash box.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that an improved device is provided for effectively removing photographic plates from the plate carrier and positioning the same into a developing tank without necessitating the use of a dark room.

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most efiicient and practical; yet realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as set forth. i

What I claim as new is:

1. A tank loader including a closed casing, a tank removably positioned in the casing, a plate holder removably positioned in the casing, means for releasing the plate from the holder, means for receiving the plate, and means for forcing the plate from the plate receiving means into the tank.

2. A tank loader including a casing, a tank removably positioned in the casing, a plate holder removably positioned in the casing, a plate carrier arranged below the plate holder, means for releasing the plate from the holder, means carried by the plate carrier for sliding the plate from the carrier into the tank.

A tank loader comprising a hollow casing, a tank removably positioned in the casing, a plate holder removably positioned in the casing, means for retaining the plate holder in position, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the casing below the plate holder, means slidably mounted longitudinally of the plate carrier for engaging the plate to force the same from the carrier into, the tank, and means for releasing the plate from the holder.

. 4. A tank loader of the class described comprising a hollow casing, a partition having an opening therein arranged trans versely of the casing, a tank arranged in the.

casing on one side of the partition, a plate carried by the casing holder arranged in the casing on the opposite side of the partition, a plate carrier arranged below the holder, means for adjustably holding the carrier in position in the casing, and means slidably associated with the carrier for forcing a plate therefrom through said opening in the partition to the tank, as and for the purpose specified.

5. A. tank loader including a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment therein, said compartments having a communicating opening, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment, and means for removing the plates from the carrier and into said tank compartment, as and for the purpose specified.

6. A tank loader of the class described including a hollow casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment pro vided with a communicatii'ig port, a sliding carrier arranged in said plate compartment and arranged to receive a photographic plate, means for holding the carrier in various adjusted positions, and means slidably carried by the carrier for forcing a plate therefrom and into the tank campartment.

7. A tank loading machine including a hollow casing having a tank receiving compartment and a plate receiving compartment, a carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment for releasing a plate from a plate holder, means for adjusting the carrier in the compartment, a follower slidably mounted on the carrier, and means for actuating the follower, as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a device of the class described, a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, a tank slidably mounted in the tank compartment, means for moving the tank into and out of the opening, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment, a gate carried by the plate carrier and arranged to normally close said opening between the compartments, means normally holding the carrier in a raised position, a follower mounted on the carrier for longitudinal movement, and means for actuating the follower.

9. In a tank loading machine of the class described, a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, a tank slidably mounted in the tank compartment for movement in a horizontal plane, means for sliding the tank into and out of the communicating opening, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment for movement in a vertical plane, spring means normally holding the carrier in a raised position, means for lowering the carrier and holding the same in adjusted position against the tension of said spring, means for releasing a plate from a plate holder, and a plate follower carried by the carrier and arranged to slide a plate therefrom, as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a tank loading machine of the class described, a hollow casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, a tank slidably mounted in the tank compartment for movement in a horizontal plane, manually operated means for moving the tank into and out of the communicating opening, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment for movement in a vertical plane, spring means normally holding the carrier in raised position, a gate carried by the forward edge of the carrier and arranged to close said communicating opening, means for lowering the carrier against the tension of said spring and holding the same in adjusted position, means for releasing said plate carrier adjusting means, means for releasing a plate from the plate holder, and manually operated means slidably carried by the carrier for removing a plate therefrom and into the tank.

11. In a tank loader of the class described, a plate carrier including a base plate, plates secured to the upper surface of the base plate and extending inwardly and downwardly 9 from the side edges thereof, the inner edges of said plates being arranged in spaced relation, as and for the purpose specified.

12. In a tank loader of the class described, a plate carrier including a base plate, top plates carried by the base plate and extending downwardly and inwardly toward the central portion thereof, the inner edges of said plates being arranged in spaced relation, a guideway secured to the upper surface of the base plate intermediate the top plates, and a plate follower slidably mounted in said guide.

18. In a tank loader of a tank including a body, rack associated with the holding the plate carrier in the tank against accidental displacement, a removable cover for said tank, and a removable clip arranged to detachably hold the cover in position.

1 1-. In a tank loading machine, a tank ineluding a body, a plate rack removably associated with the body, a removable cover for the tank, a tubular inlet for the tank and communicating with the lower end thereof, a hollow casing secured to the cover, said casing having an opening therein, a tortuous passage formed in the casing and communicating with the opening and with the tank, as and for the purpose specified.

15. A tank loading machine including a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, longitudinally extending guideways arranged in the tank compartthe class described, a removable plate tank, means for ment, a tank slidably mounted on said guide way, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment, means for operating the plate carrier, a rod slidably mounted in said tank compartment and extending outward through the rear wall thereof, a guide for said rod, the inner end of said rod having an eye formed therein, a lug formed on the rear end of said tank and arranged to detachably fit in said eye, a cover for said tank detachablyand hingedly connected in the compartment and arranged to swing below the plane of the lower face of the tank, and means for moving the closure into engagement with the tank, as and for the purpose specified.

16. A tank loading machine including a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, a sliding plate carrier mounted in the plate compartment, a gate carried by the plate carrier and arranged to normally close said communicating opening, and spring means normally holding the plate carrier in a raised position, as and for the purpose specified.

17. A tank loading machine including a casing provided with a tank chamber and a plate receiving chamber having a communicating opening, means for receiving a plate mounted in said plate compartment, means for moving the plate from said means into the tank compartment, and spring guide flanges carried by the side walls of the opening, as and for the purpose specified.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a casing having a tank compartment and a plate receiving compartment provided with a communicating opening, the tank compartment having a spring pressed cover, means mounted in the plate compartment and below the spring pressed cover for receiving a plate, of a plate carrier arranged to be positioned in the plate compartment below said spring actuated lid and arranged to be held in position by said lid, said plate carrier including an open frame arranged to receive a plate, a spring actuated bar arranged to hold the plate in position, and a lever carried by said casing having an upwardly extending foot formed thereon and arranged to engage said spring bar, and means for operating said rod to force the foot into engagement with the spring bar to release said plate, as and for the purpose specified.

19. In a tank loading machine of the class described including a casing having a tank compartment and a plate compartment provided with a communicating opening, a tank arranged to be fitted in said tank compartment and provided with a plurality of equidistantly spaced plate receiving grooves, a plate carrier slidably mounted in the plate compartment, means for moving the plate carrier in said plate compartment, a plate follower slidably mounted on said carrier and provided tending interiorly of the compartment, a graduated plate having a slot therein ar ranged to receive said actuating handle and cooperating with the graduations to determine the position of the plate carrierin said compartment in relation to the plate receiving grooves in the tank, as and for the purpose specified.

20. In a device of the class described, a casing having a tank compartment and a plate receiving compartment provided with a communicating opening, vertically extending guides mounted in the plate receiving compartment and secured to the side walls thereof, a plate carrier, outwardly extending guide members carried by the side edges of the plate carrier and slidably mounted in the guides, spring means normally holding the plate carrier in a raised position, a longitudinally extending shaft mounted in the plate compartment below said plate carrier, manual means for "oper- 'ating said shaft, means for preventing retrograde movement of said shaft, a flexible cord wound upon said shaft and connected to the lower end of said plate carrier, and manually operated means for engaging the means for preventing retrograde movement of said shaft to permit the shaft to be turned in a reverse direction, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CELESTIN E. JEGHORT.

\Vitnesses:

' O. A. BYGLAND,

A. E. SoBoLEK.

with an actuating handle ex- 

